Robert Howley

Robert Stanley Howley Jr., 71, of Columbus, OH and Kelleys Island, OH, died peacefully on Sunday, February 13th at his home in Columbus, OH after a long illness. He was born in Cleveland, OH on February 19th, 1950. His parents were Robert S. Howley Sr. and Rita (McGee, Howley) Summers. He graduated from Vermilion High School in 1968 and from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Philosophy in 1972. Upon graduation, Bob served his country as a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. In 1975 he married Nancy (Garrison) Howley.

A natural salesman, Bob excelled at his position in Public Relations at the University of Notre Dame and as second-generation owner of the Robert S. Howley Company. During his 30-year career as a manufacturers’ representative, Bob became a well-respected friend and resource to the industry. His impact was felt by those at American Electric Power, FirstEnergy, Dayton Power & Light, Duke, and other customers in addition to the many manufacturers in which he represented.

Bob was a man of many hobbies and passionately pursued his interests. Most notable include boating, scuba diving, sporting clays, ice hockey, aquariums, photography, duck decoy collecting, and taking golf lessons. He was a lifelong Notre Dame fan.

Perhaps Bob’s greatest virtue was his ability to form strong, lifelong friendships. Forging these friendships defined his personality, starting while living in his hometown of Vermilion, OH and then attending Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. After college he lived in Dayton, OH and then moved to Columbus, OH where he and Nancy raised their family and have resided since. In the summer, Bob enjoyed being a well-known member of the Kelleys Island, OH community. In winter you could find Bob keeping company at his favorite hangouts in Stuart, FL. He loved people and never knew a stranger.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy Howley; son, Andrew (Jessica) Howley of Columbus, OH; daughter, Amy (Scott) Smith of Snohomish, WA; grandchildren, Owen and Ruth Howley, Claire Smith, and Baby Smith (Coming May 2022); step-grandchildren, Emerie, Quinn, and Logan Smith; sister, Suzanne (Roger) Whitacre; brother-in-law, Marc Krupp; sister-in-law, Danielle Howley; as well as many nieces, nephews, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his son Peter G. Howley, his parents, his sister Nancy Krupp, and his brother David Howley.

Visitations will be held Friday, February 18th from 5-7pm at Schoedinger Funeral Home (6699 N High St, Worthington, OH 43085) and Saturday, February 19th from 2-4pm at Riddle Funeral Home (5345 South St, Vermilion, OH 44089). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VFW Post 9908 (611 Division St, Kelleys Island, OH 43438).

The Howley family would like to express their sincere gratitude to ViaQuest Hospice and Home Care Assistance of Columbus.